The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-10-08
Select Storg.
NAwARRENToN'S FORTUNE

You bear 1t bravely, Anna.
1t was a brave smile that lit up the hand
some face, as the young girl turned it t.
her aunt.
at is not the worst misfortune in tn
world, Aunt Belle. Bad enough, l own
do not think lightly of it, but it is none,
only. If / had lost you, or Uncle Ralph,
and as if that possibility were too hard II
contemplate, she came 10 her aunt's side II
caress her fondly. After few moment
of entire silence she spoke again: "Ant
now, Aunt Belle, tell me all about it"
"There is little more to tell than yol
know already. When Mr. Mason died
your whole property was in the hands o
Mr.. Lawrence, who most unwisely, or, youl
uncle says, dishonesty, made use of it tc
relieve himself from business trouble; SC
investing it that his failure last weel
sweeps away every penny of your inheri
tance in his ruin
"Poor Mr. Lawrence l'
Gamma r' cried Mrs. Wright, in an ex-
tremity of amazement.
"Why, Aunt Belle, is he not to be
pitied? Ruined in everything; even his
good name swept away. 1 can see how the
power to retrieve his sinking fortunes
tempted him; and, had he asked me, would
have willingly given my full permission for
the use of the money. He is not deliber-
ately wicked, Aunt Belle, only weak.
And think, he is over seventy years old
I must see him to tell him how freely
forgive him; how his love and tenderness
through the years since my father died can
never be blotted from my memory" The
large brown eyes raised to Mrs. Wright
face were full of unshed tears, and the
noble face beaming with generous feeling.
A quick, manly tread in the hall reused
her, and her uncle's voice, calling her name,
swept away the tender expression, as she
answered gaily:
"Here, Uncle Ralph. Don't be afraid
l am not drowned in my own tears, if am
a beggar."
sNot quite that, while we live, said her
uncle, as he kissed the blooming cheek Of
fered lin. "But, Anna," and his face
grew dark and stern, 'that scamp has gone
to Europe; stolen march upon us all, and
sailed by to-day's steamer"
Anna gave long whistle, then blushed
crimson. 'One of Toms tricks" she said
looking shyly ashamed. II only do it when
l am utterly confounded. :"
"There are number of tricks that suit
Tom that are not quite proper for young
lady nearly Nineteen said Mrs. Wright,
laughing. Gamma won't be doleful, Ralph,
in spite of all my croaking. You and l
will shoulder all the worry now"
sShe does not understand yet the differ
ence between the heiress and the young
lady without expectations Yet why
should she be miserable, Belle? She is
always ours to cherish and pet. A daugh-
ter has become SO necessary to me that.
when Anna leaves, shall put Tom in pet
ticoats."
"And never know the difference" said
his wife.
"Then you wont put me in store, or
find me situation as daily governess-"
''To teach girls to whistle and play the
violin? Or to stand in gentleman's fur
nishing shop and show the customers how
:
to tie their crayats 2"
sI won't be slandered. don't whistle
more than once a year, and ladies wear
crayats now as well as gentlemen. | shall
inform Horace how cruelty | am treated.
A dead silence followed this speech.
Mrs. Wright, looking into her husbands S
face, saw his lips close with stern, con-
temptuous pressure, his brow lower, and
his eyes grow dark with suppressed passion.
Anna was gathering up some fancy work
scattered on the table, and did not notice
the change. She did not look up till a
short, sharp aAnna, most unlike her uncles
voice, startled her.
"Anna p
"Yes-I-uncle, have made you an
gry?"
child when your dear mother gave you to
me. Never Come, sit here between
Aunt Belle and me, and let me talk to you
gravely. Do you love Horace very dearly,
Anna?"
"You know that l do, Uncle Ralph, or
l could not have promised to be his wife.
Simple as a child, yet blushing like maid
en-, she gave the answer.
"Then it would cost you great pain to
give him up9n
'sGive him up? Horaeel''
4You are poor now, Anna"
'sUncle Raiph," and the earnest voice
was full of feeling, "you wrong him. He
viii never change. | may offer to free
him, win do SO if you think it right, but he
will never accept the offer He loves me.
Another long silence followed this out
burst. Mrs Wright felt that all was not
said yet; Anna, doubling vaguely, battling
the fear her uncIe's words had reused, sat
silent and waiting. At last the young girl
spoke, in low, choked voice:
auncle Ralph, do you think the loss of
this money would influence Horace ?"
at has done so, Anna. BE wrote me
to-day, to announce his departure from the
city, and break the engagement"
aThen can l be thankful that this has
come, that learned his baseness before /
became his wife"
She stood erect as she spoke, her face
flushed with indignation, her voice clear
and strong with passionate pain, but as her
uncle, after a mute caress, left the room,
the mortified, rejected woman triumphed
over the girlish burst Of pride, and she
flung herself in an agony Of weeping upon
her aunts breast
Even the gentle, silent sympathy Of this
dearly beloved relative grew insupportable
as the sobs left her exhausted and faint,
aud she staggered blindly to her own room,
to battle alone with her wretchedness. She
had loved her betrothed with the fnll force
Of her warm, aifectionate heart, believing
! -. OIL I-..-<--.- !